Launch Day Reaction Mixed as iPhone 7 Shipping Estimates Improve but Some Reservations Turned Away

[Johnny907]

My local Best Buy opens in 30 minutes, still no email regarding my in-store pre-order. Given the article AI posted on stock shortages at Target and Best Buy, though, I'm not exactly feeling confident at the moment. Once again I will say if Apple couldn't guarantee stock to it's third parties, they shouldn't have offered Launch Day pre-orders at all. Had I known this was going to happen I would have just pre-ordered from Apple like I normally do, which I absolutely will be doing in the future, but not because I'm upset with Best Buy. The poor manager I spoke with yesterday was putting on a PR face, but it was clear he was well aware what level of hell he would be in for if that shipment from Apple didn't come in first thing this morning.

 

[Zirel]

What the hell is going on with in store availability? The lack of inventory might be the worst of any iPhone launch in recent memory.

Simple, Apple privileged those who reserved their online and not the idiots who decided to go to the line.

Maybe you can get a Plus in Rose Gold with 256GB.

 

[LordVic]

Insanely great marketing.
See post #44 and stay tuned.

Oh, I know what scarcity marketting is. I tend not too immediately jump to that conclusion, because it is more or less a conspiracy thoery that is mostly unprovable. if you start going down the rabbit hole of conspiracies, where do you stop?

is it possible? yes.
is it probably? probably not.

 

[jerry16]

Well Hopefully Southdale (Edina MN) Actually has my phone when I arrive. Fingers Crossed!

That's my store too! I have a reservation there for later this evening but these horror stories are starting to make nervous that they'll sell my phone before I get there

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Angela does it again! Pay her more millions!

Angela runs the stores -- decides the decor, the layout, promotions. She doesn't had anything to do with production of product. She just sells what is sent to her. Sorry. If you want to blame people look to TC and Jeff Williams.

 

[bladerunner2000]

Those lineups are clearly shorter than years prior... could it be that nobody wants a gimped phone that lacks a headphone jack?

Yeah, probably... almost definitely.

 

[MN7119]

Pre-Ordered 2 iPhone 7 Plus 256gb ATT full price (1 jet black and 1 matte black) on the pre-order day. Both orders went through showing delivery between 9/26-10/03. This morning I got an email that both phones had shipped and will be delivered this Monday by UPS.

 

[smooth]

I pre-ordered 2 black 128 gb 7+'s on the 12th through AT&T and got estimated ship dates of Oct 17th-24th. We currently have 6+'s that work fine so not in a rush to get our new ones. I do have to wonder if Apple purposely creates stock shortages. Every year it's the same situation. I'm sure the process can be improved, albeit not completely fixed, if they really wanted it to be.

 

[tvh13]

another year, another man-made supply restrain

Yup. Kind of lame at this point.

 

[brosenz]

has anyone received shipment notification from T-Mobile?

 

[Waxhead138]

I preordered on Friday. Got the confirmation at 3:10am EST. Shipping date was Sept 26th - Sept 29th. It went to Preparing for shipment yesterday afternoon. I'm hoping it changes to shipped today with a tracking number and updated shipping date of next week.

I ordered the 7Plus in Black and 256GB. Wish Apple would ramp production up on things sooner than later to ease wait times for people.

The shipping estimates seem so random. I was going to enroll in the Upgrade program w/ Apple. However Verizon gave me an offer that I simply couldn't refuse (C'mon Godfather fans!). Point being: I did all this thru VZWs website at like 9am, Saturday the 10th....and was given a ship date of 9/23. So far that hasn't slipped, but we'll see. Matte Black 128 4.7 screen.

I think the big telcos maybe got certain quantities "guaranteed". It seems to be the only explanation of why those estimates haven't slipped.....yet. Still shocked to see a worse than normal shortage at the Apple stores though.

Edit: I chose not to deal with waiting, or lines, etc. Willing to wait. If I get my phone before those who had in store reservations....Ill agree that's pretty screwed up.

 

[roland.g]

Reaction mixed. I thought this would be how those that got it liked it. It's just a reaction to availability.

 

[ramonabynes]

How are they not able to fulfill their reservations?? Most people couldn't even GET a reservation, and you're telling me some of the few that did couldn't even get their phone?

 

[mlabonte21]

has anyone received shipment notification from T-Mobile?

Mine are delivered and waiting at my door.

Gotta get outta work soon!!!

 

[Fall Under Cerulean Kites]

#FirstWorldProblems

 

[brosenz]

let me be more specific on my question, has anyone received a shipment notification from T-Mobile from an iPhone 7 Plus Black 128GB?

 

[tDog1868]

Di

Went to the North Michigan Ave store this morning to pick up my 128GB/Matte Black/AT&T/iPhone 7 Plus model today during my 9:00-9:30 iPhone Upgrade program appt. Initially was told that they didn't receive the phone at all and offered me a free case(worthless without a phone) with no idea when the phone would come in. After some discussion they looked around and somehow magically found one in the back. Walked out happy to have gotten a phone but annoyed the whole process took over a hour. I also decided to back out of the iPhone Upgrade program going forward. It is too much of a hassle and decided to pay for my phone outright.

Did you receive the email last night that your phone was ready for pickup? I am about to head to the San Francisco store in same situation as you? I did receive an email saying my order was ready for pickup.

 

[jerry16]

Those lineups are clearly shorter than years prior... could it be that nobody wants a gimped phone that lacks a headphone jack?

Yeah, probably... almost definitely.

Or maybe it's the fact that the most sought after phone was announced to not be available as a walk in purchase days before the launch. Why bother waiting in line for a phone you won't get?

 

[tDog1868]

justed called Palo Alto store, they said my iphone wasn't there yet, but it will be there this afternoon..lol he said anyone in upgrade program is being taken care off to don't worry and just come in...this will turn into a nightmare later today I just feel it...I'm thinking of leaving the program too and just buying the phone...F this!! if you are in the upgrade program and reserved an iphone, you should call and make sure it's there

Did you receive an email saying it was available? Are those just auto-generated emails?

 

[Leonard1818]

Bingo. This is done on purpose to create what is called scarcity value.

If everyone could easily get a phone on launch day or shortly after, you wouldn't have any of the press, or 'hype' that helps the product look more valuable to not only existing customers, but new ones.

Apple knows exactly what they're doing.

I think it's more likely that this would have been the first decline in launch-day sales for iPhone. That would have impacted stock value, etc. so I wonder if that had any bearing on availability.

Scarcity is one thing... but last year they sold another record number of 6s models and I didn't find them in short supply at all. I really think if it was intentional that it had to do with preserving the stock value by adding some ambiguity to actual sales numbers.

 

[TechZeke]

Have to give it up for Apple Store Americana (Glendale, CA)! I had an 8am reservation, but they also couldn't find the phone. Apparently the shipment they were expecting was late. No worries from me, the manager calmly explained it to me and took my info with a promise to call me when it arrived, and comped my new leather 7+ case on the spot. I walked to the local coffee bean and less than 15min later he called to say it had arrived. Walked right back and was out the door 15min later with my 7+ and a free leather case.

Great service, you just have to be nice!

You're lucky you have 2 Apple Stores just for your city alone. Us poor souls in the Inland Empire have 1 Apple Store for 2 counties(San Bernardino and Riverside) at Victoria Gardens. I don't even want to go near that fustercluck.

 

[techwhiz]

So let me get this right... Analyst decide what is a good launch by the number of people standing in line? O....kay.
Anyway, Apple needs to either make more phones or delay launch.
No being able to come even close to initial demand is an epic fail.
Although, people keep falling for the same thing over and over again.

 

[TonyC28]

First World problems I guess. But it would be nice to see Apple get a better handle on launch day inventory issues going forward.

 

[Leonard1818]

You're lucky you have 2 Apple Stores just for your city alone. Us poor souls in the Inland Empire have 1 Apple Store for 2 counties(San Bernardino and Riverside) at Victoria Gardens. I don't even want to go near that fustercluck.

I didn't have an apple store within an hour and 45 mins of me until a few years ago where they obviously threw a dart at a map and decided to plop one about 40 minutes away in the ghetto. I order EVERYTHING from Apple. But the UPS man was NOT happy today... and I quote: "This Apple bull<crap> is killing me!" (as sweat dripped down his face)

 

[SteveSparks]

Oh no, someone's b-day party pictures won't be awesome because they don't have the latest iPhone. Apparently he must have an iPhone, 3G or 3GS that is terrible.

Are you just bing sarcastic or is this reaction just a defect in your personality in how you releate to people?

People buy stuff for lots of reasons. Nothing here is necessary in life. No reason to think there reason for disappointment is more important than others.